Civilians Deemed to be Full-time Members of the Defence Force

Introduction

In each of the conflicts in which Australia has been involved, certain civilians who served with and provided support for the defence force[2] have been deemed to be members of the defence force who served on a [glossary:continuous full-time basis:]. This is done to extend repatriation benefits to these civilians. Such determinations are made under s5R[3]of the VEA.

Ministerial Determination for Certain Civilians - WW2

The persons listed below are to be treated as full-time members of the defence force during WW2:

if employed by the Commonwealth of Australia and attached to the Defence Force, being

any other persons during any period when they provided service and assistance to the Defence Force, or

representatives of an approved [glossary:philanthropic organisation:] providing welfare services to the Defence Force.

Ministerial Determination for non-uniformed Aboriginals and Torres Strait Islanders - World War 2

In 1991, the Government formally recognised the contribution made by non-uniformed ATSI personnel who assisted the Australian Defence Force[2] in Northern Australia during World War 2. Recognition included the payment of “back pay”, the award of medals by Defence and the extension of Repatriation benefits under theVeterans' Entitlements Act. On 30 March 1992, the Minister for Veterans' Affairs signed a Determination extending eligibility for Repatriation benefits to those concerned by deeming them to be members of the Defence Force who served on a continuous full-time basis.

For a listing of the names of those deemed to be members, see [glossary:Ministerial Determinations:] in the Legislation Library

Ministerial Determination for Certain Civilians - Korean War

The following persons who served in an operational area[2] described in Item 1 of Schedule 2 are considered to be full-time members of the defence force:

persons employed by the Commonwealth of Australia who were attached to the Defence Force and who provided services as personnel belonging to field broadcasting units, as telegraphists, as camoufleurs, as war correspondents, as photographers or as cinematographers; or

The following persons who served in an operational area described in Item 2 of Schedule 2 are considered to be full-time members of the defence force:

persons employed by the Commonwealth of Australia who were attached to the Defence Force and who provided services as personnel belonging to field broadcasting units, as telegraphists, as camoufleurs, as war correspondents, as photographers or as cinematographers; or

canteen staff on H.M.A. Ships; or

persons who, as representatives of an approved [glossary:philanthropic organisation:] provided welfare services to the Defence Force.

The following persons who served in an operational area described in Item 3 of Schedule 2 are considered to be full-time members of the defence force:

persons employed by the Commonwealth of Australia who were attached to the Defence Force and who provided services as personnel belonging to field broadcasting units, as telegraphists, as camoufleurs, as war correspondents, as photographers or as cinematographers; or

canteen staff on H.M.A. Ships; or

persons who, as representatives of an approved [glossary:philanthropic organisation:] provided welfare services to the Defence Force.

The following persons who served in an operational area described in Items 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8 of Schedule 2 are considered to be full-time members of the defence force:

persons employed by the Commonwealth of Australia who were attached to the Defence Force and who provided services as personnel belonging to field broadcasting units, as telegraphists, as camoufleurs, as war correspondents, as photographers or as cinematographers; or

canteen staff on H.M.A. Ships; or

persons who, as representatives of an approved [glossary:philanthropic organisation:] provided welfare services to the Defence Force.

The Australian Defence Force includes:

Australian Army

Royal Australian Navy (RAN)

Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF)

Camoufleurs are employees of the Department of Home Security, attached to the RAAF during World War 2. Their job was to disguise aeroplanes and other equipment to avoid their detection by the enemy.

Official war correspondents were employed by the Department of Information. They were attached to various units to report on the war.

The Australian Defence Force includes:

Australian Army

Royal Australian Navy (RAN)

Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF)

An operational area is an area specified in Column 1 for the period specified in Column 2 of Schedule 2 of the VEA[4] to which a unit or individual have been allotted or deemed allotted for duty.